Criminal charges can destroy your reputation

When you work in a position of power and responsibility, your reputation is critical. You need to be seen as trustworthy and reliable or you could find yourself being removed from the position or, perhaps worse, being blamed for mistakes or illicit activity connected with your office. In South Carolina, law enforcement officials are so wary of criminal abuses of power that they are ready to crack down on anyone whose behavior appears suspicious.

One of the reasons these matters are taken so seriously is that they are often financially motivated. Rather than targeting just one individual, they often have a widespread effect, either on the organization the accused works for or on countless customers. However, this also means that when an employee makes a costly mistake, they may come under scrutiny as it could appear that they were attempting to defraud the company.

These types of offenses are called white collar crimes. However, they do not all fall into the category of fraud or scams. Crimes such as embezzlement, money-laundering and tax evasion also fall under the umbrella of white collar charges. Unfortunately, implication in an offense of this nature could cost you your job, or at least result in you being suspended while the investigation is underway.

It can be difficult to know where to turn when faced with such accusations, not to mention the threat of conviction and the chance of losing your job. If you find yourself in this situation, our page on white collar crimes may have some of the answers you need. An attorney might also be able to support you through this challenging time.